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SQL Editor ​

The SQL Editor is where a query is written and run. The editor has SQL syntax highlighting and IntelliSense aware of the connected database's schema.

Its command bar has Execute, plus a set of toggles:

SQL Editor command bar

  • Trace - when on, data modification queries (INSERT / UPDATE / DELETE) are traced with log recording, so their log records can be inspected and applied to a page. When off, data modification queries still run and roll back as normal, but no log records are captured
  • Clear Buffer Pool - empties the buffer pool first (DBCC DROPCLEANBUFFERS) so every page the query touches is physically read. Don't use this on a server anyone else is using
  • Disable Read-Ahead - makes the engine read pages individually instead of pre-fetching large blocks, giving a much clearer picture of the access pattern
  • Results - when on, the query returns its result set, shown in the Results tab. When off, results are discarded - useful for cutting down noise on queries where only the storage engine activity matters
  • Messages - shows the Messages tab, e.g. row counts and other output messages

While a query is running, Execute is replaced by a Stop button to cancel it.

TIP

  • Ctrl + Enter executes from the keyboard
  • If text is selected in the editor, Execute runs just the selection
  • Ctrl + mouse wheel changes the editor font size, and the size is remembered

Multi-statement queries ​

Only one statement can be traced at a time. Executing a query with multiple statements or GO batches gives the error:

Multi-statement queries cannot be traced. Select a single statement then right click and choose 'Trace query selection'.

For scripts where the statement of interest needs setup or teardown around it - building a temp table first, say - mark just that statement: select it, right-click, and choose Trace query selection.

Trace query selection on the editor's right-click menu

The marked statement stays highlighted in the editor:

The marked statement highlighted in the editor

On Execute, everything before the marked statement runs first as untraced setup, the marked statement runs with the trace, and everything after it runs as untraced teardown - so the timeline shows only the statement of interest.

To remove the marker, right-click and choose Clear query selection.